Tony Stewart's Prelude to the Dream

Yes, I did it! I paid the PPV for the Prelude to the Dream.

I have been rather peeved with Tony Stewart since Tony decided to put David Gilliland into a position of "he has to learn......" I even posted my anger on my blog, and was surprised that a long term blogster who is a fan of Tony agreed with me. In fact, Tony has been on the edge, again, and I am just counting the races until there is a major blow-up!

However, I paid the money to watch the Prelude to the Dream. Yes, it was Tony. But, in more ways than I can count, it was not about Tony.

It was about many 'names' of NASCAR joining up for a good cause. It was about, for many drivers, getting back to their roots. (OMG, I now know where Jeff Gordon, Kasey, Tony and several others get their car control!) For other drivers, it was a new learning experience. (Rumor has it that Harvick gave lots of advice to the newbies. I wonder if JPM ever trusted where exactly his clutch pedal was located! And why did Denny say..."I learned to not believe Harvick!" followed by a huge grin!)

Bill Elliott and Ryan Newman 'got into it' with awesome amazing twists, turns, and one upside down car. The drivers both got out of the cars. and started describing how it happened with great glee and HUGE grins!

Tony put on a great show. It took a huge amount of planning and a huge amount of commitment. As much as I 'have issues' with Tony, he did a darn good job.

And BTW, for those that missed it, Austin Petty did a wonderful presentation on VJGC, and that kid could easily have a future in broadcasting.

I really enjoyed watching this event, it was a great deal of fun!

Battle of Champions

Today, the NASCAR fan world is holding their breath over the impending doom to be applied to Kurt Busch, for his pit road transgression at Dover. While perusing the message boards, and listening to the commentary on "Morning Drive," I discover that there is a wide range of opinion on What To Do With A Man Like Kurt" (hum a few bars from The Sound of Music!) It is my turn to add my thoughts.

If you are a regular reader of this blog, you will remember from my Tony Stewart rant that I am no longer a Tony Stewart apologist. However, in this case, he was certainly the lesser of two evils.

Tony has a habit of being stubborn and unrelenting while in his car. This year, he is demonstrating a need to be proved right, and to teach lessons. For example, after David Gilliland moved out of line at Talledega, Tony feinted as if he was going to follow, and then Tony closed the gap. He then claimed on the radio "He (meaning David) has to learn to not do that." At the time, I marveled at Tony choosing to teach a lesson in this manner.

During Dover, he was an instigator in the situation. By insisting he was not going to give up a spot, when there was over 125 laps remaining. Tony himself has claimed folks race too hard too early in the race, and yet here he was doing the same thing. The battle then ruined two potential winning race cars.

However, my commentary on Tony in no way clears Kurt Busch of any blame. Kurt totally blew it by taking an aggressive stance on pit road, and putting a pit crew member in jeopardy.

Many Kurt Busch fans are taking a firm stance that is surprising. "The Pit Crew Guy had plenty of time to jump out of the way!" Huh? If it were me, I would have been jumping also, as I have no way of knowing if the angry driver is going to stop on time! When Carl Edwards spun Tony, he didn't get in much trouble! Another HUH? If you haven't figured it out from the penalties at the first race of the year, NASCAR has escalated the penalty process!

As I type this, I am hearing a rumor that Kurt will be forced to sit out Pocono. He will lose 175 points by not being allowed to race. I am also hearing a rumor that there were some issues with his car, that will cause a further point loss of 100, and a monetary penalty of 100K.

If the rumor is true, Kurt will effectively be out of the Chase.

It is a shame that two Champions cannot meet off track and clear the air. Now, there are negative consequences for one of the teams, and the sport as a whole.

I guess there is no way to fix idiocy!

***************

My condolences go to the family of Bill France, Jr. There is no denying the impact he had on the world of motorsports.